Senator Menendez moves to Bergen County

Sen. Bob Menendez, long viewed as the unofficial boss of the Democratic Party in Hudson County, has moved to Bergen County.

AP FILE PHOTO

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J.

Menendez first talked publicly about his move at a political fundraiser in Edgewater on Wednesday night, where he announced not only that he will support Democrat James Tedesco’s campaign for Bergen County executive, he’ll also be voting for Tedesco in the November election.

“Yes that is correct. He lives in Paramus now,” said Steven Sandberg, a spokesman for Menendez.

Menendez, who began his political career in Union City, had been living in North Bergen. The announcement of his move was originally reported by Politicker NJ, a website that covers state politics.

Menendez, who is divorced, is engaged to marry Alicia Mucci, a widow who lives in Paramus. Sandberg declined to say whether Menendez and Mucci have moved in together.

Several Bergen County Democrats hope the move by Menendez, New Jersey’s senior senator, may help their prospects for maintaining control of the Bergen County Board of Freeholders and winning back the office of county executive from Republican Kathleen Donovan.

“Bergen County is always going to be a tough race and a tight race,” said Freeholder David Ganz, a Democrat. “I’m delighted that the senator will be one of my constituents. The senator has always been a big supporter and a big help to us.”

Marc Schrieks, the mayor of Lodi and an aide to Freeholder Joan Voss, said Menendez has done much to help Bergen Democrats in the past.

“We’ve used his resources, and I think it’ll only be enhanced now that he’s in our back yard,” Schrieks said.

Some Republicans doubt the senator’s move will change the political calculus in Bergen County.

“He’s always been a friend to Paramus and Bergen County, so I don’t know if it will have any impact,” said Benedict A. Focarino, deputy chairman of the Bergen County Republican Organization.

Senator Menendez moves to Bergen County

Sen. Bob Menendez, long viewed as the unofficial boss of the Democratic Party in Hudson County, has moved to Bergen County.

Menendez first talked publicly about his move at a political fundraiser in Edgewater on Wednesday night, where he announced not only that he will support Democrat James Tedesco’s campaign for Bergen County executive, he’ll also be voting for Tedesco in the November election.

“Yes that is correct. He lives in Paramus now,” said Steven Sandberg, a spokesman for Menendez.

Menendez, who began his political career in Union City, had been living in North Bergen. The announcement of his move was originally reported by Politicker NJ, a website that covers state politics.

Menendez, who is divorced, is engaged to marry Alicia Mucci, a widow who lives in Paramus. Sandberg declined to say whether Menendez and Mucci have moved in together.

Several Bergen County Democrats hope the move by Menendez, New Jersey’s senior senator, may help their prospects for maintaining control of the Bergen County Board of Freeholders and winning back the office of county executive from Republican Kathleen Donovan.

“Bergen County is always going to be a tough race and a tight race,” said Freeholder David Ganz, a Democrat. “I’m delighted that the senator will be one of my constituents. The senator has always been a big supporter and a big help to us.”

Marc Schrieks, the mayor of Lodi and an aide to Freeholder Joan Voss, said Menendez has done much to help Bergen Democrats in the past.

“We’ve used his resources, and I think it’ll only be enhanced now that he’s in our back yard,” Schrieks said.

Some Republicans doubt the senator’s move will change the political calculus in Bergen County.

“He’s always been a friend to Paramus and Bergen County, so I don’t know if it will have any impact,” said Benedict A. Focarino, deputy chairman of the Bergen County Republican Organization.